Supporting Disaster Preparedness Through User-Centred Interaction Design in Immersive Environments

At a time when wildfires and severe floods are challenging human society in unprecedented ways, we examine how immersive virtual environments can be used to enhance community preparedness for, and engagement with, disaster scenarios. Drawing on research from the fields of interaction design and participatory design, we explore the capacity of three-dimensional (3D) immersive virtual environments to foster increased situational awareness and risk perception among diverse communities—from first responders to local populations. Investigating tangible interfaces and interaction schemas applied to spatialised settings, we demonstrate how immersive environments can support effective scenario testing and rehearsal of responses to hazardous situations. Application of the described methods can equip users with response strategies that may prove productive in augmenting risk perception and deliberation.